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Mahinda (Sanskrit: महिन्द्र) (born 3rd century in Magadha, now in Bihar, India, died in Sri Lanka) was a Buddhist monk who brought Buddhism to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was the son of Emperor Ashoka and Devi of the Mauryan empire, who after conquering the subcontintent, had embraced Buddhism. He became a monk at the age of 20 with Moggaliputta-Tissa as his teacher and was well-versed with the Tripitaka. Mahinda together with fellow monks Itthiya, Uttiya, Sambala and Bhaddasala (who was the son of Sanghmitta)were sent to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. He was also accompanied by a lay disciple Bhankuka, who was a maternal grandson of his aunt. Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa, the chronicles of Sri Lanka, record the arrival of the party on the full moon of Jettha, a national festival at the time. At the time, King Devanampiyatissa was partaking in a hunting expedition in the Mihintale hills. Upon meeting the shaven-headed monks Devanampiyatissa was taken aback by their appearance and inquired as to who they were. After initial converstions, Mahinda preached the Culahatthipadopama Sutra, after which the royal hunting party converted to Buddhism. The party was subsequently invited to Anuradhapura, the seat of the throne for a royal reception and to give further dharma talks. Mahinda subsequently gave two public talks sancitoned by Devanampiyatissa, in the royal hall and in the Nandana garden in the Royal Park, leading to the start of the public embrace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The royal park Mahamegha was then set aside as the residence for Mahinda's party, and in later times became the Mahavihara, the earliest centre of Buddhist culture and scholarship Sri Lanka. The Cetiyagirivihara monastery was then established in Mihintale. Mahinda then sent for his sister Sanghamitta from Magadha, who was a nun to start a female Buddhist order after local women had expressed a desire to join the Sangha. Mahinda also organised for a bodhi sapling from the original tree in Bodh Gaya to be sent to Sri Lanka, where it was planted in the grounds of the Mahavihara, where it is still visible today. The 20th century Sri Lankan monk Walpola Rahula described Mahinda as "the father of Sinhalese literature" as he had translated and written commentary for the Tripitaka in Sinhalese, turning it into a literary language. He was also credited with introducing the culture of the Mauryan empire to the island, along with its architecture. Mahinda outlived Devanampiyatissa, and died at the age of 80. King Uttiya, who succeeded his brother, organised a state funeral for Mahinda and constructed a stupa to house his relics.
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